Tributylamine

Specific investigations: other studies

Administrative data

Endpoint:

specific investigations: other studies

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

other information

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Acceptable, well-documented publication/study report which meets basic scientific principles

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1989

Report date:

1989

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Examination of respiratory response following normal inhalation or tracheal intubation of the test substance

Type of method:

in vivo

Endpoint addressed:

respiratory irritation

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Tributylamine

EC Number:

203-058-7

EC Name:

Tributylamine

Cas Number:

102-82-9

Molecular formula:

C12H27N

IUPAC Name:

tributylamine

Test animals

Species:

mouse

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

Tributylamine (30 to 95 ppm) and other alkylamines was examined for respiratory irritation in CF-1 mice (4 animals per dose), either after normal inhalation for sensory irritation, or with tracheal intubation for the detection of pulmonary irritation. Like in many similar studies performed by the author the test procedure followed an ASTM method.

Unlike other amines, tributylamine caused deaths upon inhalation. Mortality was complete in animals exposed for 25 minutes to concentrations of 110 ppm and above.Also, tributylamine gave rise to time-frequency curves which differed from those of the other amines which were also examined in this study. In normal mice a fast decrease of the respiratory rate was seen, and which was due to sensory irritation. This effect was maximum within the first 2 minutes, but disappeared. Later, a slower decrease was noted, and the respiratory pattern indicated that this was due to pulmonary irritation. Following exposure there was little recovery.

In cannulated mice a small increase of the respiratory rate was noted, and then the rate decreased due to pulmonary irritation. The recovery was almost complete in these animals.

As a result, no RD₅₀-value could be obtained for tributylamine. The tRD₅₀-value was 96 ppm. The results indicate that tributylamine causes primarily pulmonary irritation, in contrast to other alkylamines. The authors derived a TLV proposal from their data (TLV=0.2 x RD₅₀; and TLV = 0.01 x tRD₅₀) in the range of 1 to 2 ppm (Nielsen, 1989).

The study is considered to be valid and suitable for assessment.